Rocky Butte and Kelly Point Park

Just some pictures of a couple day trips we took. The first, to check out some outdoor rock climbing at Rocky Butte, about 20 miles NE of Portland. At the top of the hill you could see Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and downtown Portland. The second, an amazing park called Kelly Point that we stumbled upon while taking a drive. The park sits along the Columbia right in the center of an industrial park. Even in the most developed or industrial areas of Oregon, there always seems to be a hidden park. I always find the contrast so incredibly beautiful. Along one side of the park there were several groups of fisherman. We sat here for a while and Brian played the harmonica he just picked up at a local music shop.

Red to Red

Last weekend we took a long, beautiful drive out to Echo, Oregon. Never heard of it? That's okay, most people haven't. It's a tiny town outside of Pendelton...you know this one, famous for the plaid, wool jacket. The weather was drizzly on the way out and we hit some slushy snow near The Dalles. But hey, nothing a warm cup of coffee couldn't cure.
Echo was so great, the perfect place for the mountain bike race. The scheduled departure was 11am. The racers lined up for their numbers and took a couple laps arround the town to warm up. The race started and ended at the Red Express Cafe. It then traveled up the road past some horse corrals, an old boarded up church, and some small farms till the riders hit the dirt. You'll have to get the rest of the details from Brian, but apprently the ride was a little bumpy with lots of uphill. As for me, I enjoyed a stroll through the town and little reading in the warmth of the cafe. It was especially fun because you could tell from the excitement of the locals that this was the biggest thing thats happened in the town in quite a while.
It was a great day and we took some videos with the RCA small wonder.

so here we are...

In 2009! 2008 was a good year and before I move on, I thought I would take a tip from Bethany and highlight some of the great times over this past year:

1. Living in San Diego. Yes, it's true we moved there in 2007, but I think we really started to own the city by 2008. I was working hard in a Microbiology lab and Brian was being a business savvy scientist. We were making money, soaking up sun, and loving life.

2. Todd graduates! We picked him up a fancy cigar in Old Town to celebrate. Congrats.

3. I bought a bike! It's amazing how much my life has changed just with the addition of a bicycle. Such freedom, such love!

4. We went on a camping trip to Big Sur with Beth and Todd. The weather was cold and because of the recent fires, we were lacking running toilets, showers, and drinkable water, and worst of all, campfires were not permitted. But we bathed in the ocean, dressed in layers, and went on hikes. It was an amazing trip.

5. Brian was accepted to a Chemistry PhD program and we decided to move to Portland, OR. Although it was an obvious choice and an exciting adventure, it was a tough move for me. Saying goodbye to family is never easy, but we hit the road nonetheless.

6. We decided to take the drive up to Portland slowly, but we were much too excited to slow down even a bit. We stopped in San Francisco to visit Derek and Brandon, then in Ashland to visit a motel 6, and then straight up to Portland.

7. I was offered a Research Associate 2 position at OHSU, something I dreamed about doing many months before graduation. I jumped right into it only days after we arrived, and couldn't have been happier.

8. Cian, Inga, Taylor, Kieran, Bethany, Todd, Brandon, and Derek visit. It's amazing to be surrounded by familiar people that you love.

9. Brian once again delivers an incredible birthday present. Luke is welcomed into our home.

10. As in 2007, I was incredibly lucky to share all of this with the person I love most. Thank you.

It was a great year, and now I enter 2009 with an open mind and some good stories.

Yurt!!!

Thanksgiving

tentative turkey dinner

1. Chinese Five Spice and Ginger sweet potatoes.
2. Fresh Jalapeno cranberry sauce
3. Brian's secret stuffing (I think there's sausage involved!)
4. Turkey stuffed with B's stuffing
5. Rolls
6. Pumpkin pie
7. Apple pie

I mean, do we really need vegetables?

Ape Caves

Whelp, I can check off another state on my very short list of places I've visited. This weekend we drove up to Washington en route to the infamous Ape Caves. The drive was, of course, absolutely beautiful, as is everything in the Pacific NW. We made a quick stop at a river, apparently "home of the bull trout", and then made our way on some very windy roads, through some very tiny towns, and out to the caves. The caves are as hard to capture as they are to describe (especially considering my writing skills...). Here it goes: you begin by walking down a set of steep stairs and are instantly amazed at what you find. Although, should you be surprised? I mean, we knew we were coming to visit caves, but were still taken back by the enormity and darkness. We donned head lamps and bike lights and made our way over boulders, under water drops, and through narrow passageways. Every now and then you have to stop to shine your light around and remember that theres more than just the 2 foot perimeter you've been focusing on. Coming to the end is sort of bittersweet. As enjoyable as the adventure is, there's still a feeling of needing to get out...at least for me, I think Brian could have stayed the night. We made our way up the ladder and into the sunlight to enjoy a veggie wrap, pomegranate, and an eerie hike back.